Campaign aims to get people talking about bowel health

Bowel cancer survivor Ken Bowie hopes a new campaign will encourage other Southlanders to be aware of the signs of the disease and to get help fast.

Bowie, was one of eight ‘‘champions’’ who spoke at the launch of the Southern Bowel Screening Champions Campaign launched at Southland Hospital yesterday.

Bowie survived cancer 18 years ago, but hoped his voice in the campaign would encourage others to be aware of the signs and look after their health.

‘‘It happened just before New Year’s Eve of the year 2000.

‘‘I always refer to it as my ‘Y2K bug’.

‘‘IT specialists talked about computers and electronic devices crashing, but it was me that crashed,’’ he says in his video campaign.

‘‘Apparently the tumour would have been there for close to two years and the polyps could have been there seven years before. There were a couple of vague symptoms I hadn’t really thought about.’’

Bowie believed education on the topic is important. ‘‘It’s awareness so that people get to find out [a diagnosis] sooner rather than later,’’ Bowie said. ‘‘Sometimes a little education can be wise. If in doubt see a doctor.’’

The eight ‘‘champions’’ are Highlanders lock Tom Franklin, Southern District Health Board kauma¯tua Matapura Ellison, Dunedin City councillor Rachel Elder, ex-nurse Shona Fordyce, Murihiku Marae kauma¯ tua Cyril Gilroy, ex-rugby players Leicester Rutledge and Lex Chisholm, and bowel cancer survivor Ken Bowie.